8 Great Questions To Ask During A Job Interview

Faced with one pointed question after another regarding your
career, a job interview can quickly take on the feel of an
interrogation.

But employers aren't the only ones who get to poke and pry during
the sit-down. At some point, job candidates can make inquiries
that flesh out everything from expectations to why their
prospective boss enjoys working for the company.

By asking thought-provoking questions, you can not only collect
valuable information but also distinguish yourself from the pack.

"It means that you're thoughtful about the process and that
you're very interested in the position because you took the time
to think of questions that would be substantive," says Cheryl
Palmer, a career coach and founder of the career coaching firm
Call to Career.

Here are some questions you can ask and tips for interpreting the
responses from your interviewer.

1. How has this position evolved since it was
created?

Getting a brief history on the role should clear up whether the
position has expanded over the years or has been a dead end for
employees, Palmer says.

Interpreting the response: If the
interviewer says the position has expanded beyond its original
scope (and is continuing to do so), that signifies an opportunity
for growth within the company. If the position has stayed static
for years, don't expect to blossom there. Depending on your
career ambitions, the latter response isn't necessarily bad,
Palmer says.

Knowing how the organization measures achievements will help you
understand what the expectations will be and whether you have the
skill set to meet them, Palmer says. But don't undermine your
past accomplishments just because your route to success doesn't
match up with the one embraced by the company. "You also don't
want to be too narrowly defined by what other people have done.
Because you're a different person, you may approach things a
little differently," she says.

Interpreting the response: You may hear a
description that highlights the positive and negative attributes
of your predecessor. That could be a good indicator of the
company's culture. "Typically, what one person has done to be
successful is what the organization tends to do to be
successful," Palmer says.

3. What have you enjoyed most about working
here?

Your prospective boss can relay what he or she values most and
what led to his or her personal success with the organization.
Then, Palmer says, you can internally ruminate about whether you
share the same values and can envision yourself working there.

Interpreting the response: Your interviewer
may commend the company for everything from benefits to year-end
bonuses. On the other hand, "if they're struggling to come up
with something positive about why they like working there,
chances are good that you're not going to be able to come up with
anything positive after having worked there either," Palmer says.

4. What is the top priority
for the person in this position over the next three
months?

This question is helpful so you know what to focus on if you do
get the position, Palmer says. Without a clear expectation, she
adds, you won't know what to accomplish or how to make the right
impression during your first days on the job.

Interpreting the response: You may be told
that you need to complete 15 tasks rather than two or three. "If
these are all big initiatives that they want you to handle,
probably not that doable," Palmer says.

5. What are the qualities of successful managers in this
company?

If you're interviewing for a managerial position, you'll want
knowledge of the skills and core competencies the company
treasures in a leader, says David Lewis, founder and president of
OperationsInc, a Connecticut-based human resources outsourcing
and consulting firm. If excellent people skills and multitasking
top the list, emphasize how you've demonstrated those traits
throughout your career.

Interpreting the response: According to
Lewis, you may get a response along these lines: "The best
managers in our organization are independent thinkers, are good
teachers, and completely aligned with the direction the company
is going in." If he or she can't name a single star in the
managerial stable, that's problematic and speaks to an
organization short on progress and promotions, Lewis notes.

6. If offered the position, can you give me examples of
ways I would collaborate with my manager?

As an entry-level staffer, you may want to work with management
as a means to showcase your skills and move up. But there's a
distinction between simply taking orders and actively working
with a superior who is grooming you for something better.
"[Finding] out how an organization utilizes people at the staff
level is key," Lewis says. "Is it a dictatorial environment or a
collaborative one?"

Interpreting the response: The employer may
be short on examples or dismiss the notion of working with
management altogether. Prod further, Lewis says, and find out why
that it is. There may be a legitimate reason behind why the
company doesn't promote collaboration.

7. What are some challenges that will face the person
filling this position?

You owe it to yourself to know what you're up against. "It just
gives you a reality check," Palmer says. The drawbacks may differ
depending on whether the position is managerial or entry-level.
As a manager, you may oversee a department that runs on a
shoestring budget. As a lower-level staffer, you may work odd
hours or get stuck with assignments that lack substance.

Interpreting the response: The interviewer
may point out the least offensive parts of the job. But if he or
she denies any downside whatsoever, that should raise doubts
about his or her credibility. "Any boss that tells you there are
not challenges, they're lying. It's just that simple," Palmer
says.

Asking a question like this lets the interviewer know that you're
secure enough to openly discuss your vulnerabilities. It also
signals confidence and the ability to be coached, says John
Kador, author of "301 Best Questions to Ask on Your Interview."
"Coachability is a hugely attractive attribute as far as
interviewers are concerned," he explains.

Interpreting the
response: At your
urging, the interviewer may voice concerns about a lack of
training in certain areas or gaps in employment. Rather than
gloss over your shortcomings, address them and put up a
respectful and reasonable defense. "You may be able to come up
with a satisfactory response, you may not," Kador says. "But at
least you have the chance."